Meniere's disease - Evidence of an immune process

Objective: This study aimed to present further evidence of specific antibod ies reactive against bovine inner ear proteins found in patients with Menie re's disease. Background: There are a growing number of experimental and clinical feature s of Meniere's disease that indicate an immune association. Circulating ant ibodies directed against inner ear proteins have been detected in patients with bilateral progressive hearing loss and Meniere's disease. Methods: A total of 36 patients with classical Meniere's disease were studi ed noting the presence of active or inactive, bilateral or unilateral disea se. Bovine membranous labyrinth was used as inner ear extract and separated to molecular weights using sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel elect rophoresis. Western blotting included the addition of serum buffer (casein, Tween, and bovine serum albumins) and the use of alkaline phosphatase labe led anti-human immunoglobulin antibodies. Results: The findings represent strong evidence of antibodies reactive to i nner ear proteins. The incidence of these antibodies was correlated signifi cantly with disease activity. Conclusions: The findings are further evidence of an immune process that is involved in Meniere's disease.